Notes from the Edge

What happens when other people decide what you’re capable of? After a spinal cord injury at 20, Ken Kunken returned to Cornell University in a wheelchair, only to find a campus without a single ramp or curb cut. The challenge wasn’t simply adapting to a different life. It was navigating a world that hadn’t made room for him. Ken went on to build a career spanning more than four decades as a trial attorney, become a husband and father of triplets, and write his memoir, I Dream of Things That Never Were . We talk about disability, accessibility, depression, independence, asking for help, and why opportunity and inclusion matter far more than anyone’s assumptions about another person’s abilities. In this episode: 02:38 | Adjusting to life after a spinal cord injury and redefining independence 05:50 | The importance of family, community, and meaningful support 08:03 | Returning to an inaccessible Cornell campus and pursuing a legal career 10:15 | Writing his memoir, navigating personal challenges, and building a family 17:45 | Self-confidence, disability stereotypes, and the importance of opportunity Connect with Ken Kunken Author of I Dream of Things That Never Were: The Ken Kunken Story https://kenkunken.com Connect with Lisa Lacy Inside the Edge: Join us for exclusive weekly episodes, private monthly live conversations, and resources that encourage self-discovery, connection, and personal growth. https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What if your adoption was never legal? Patricia Knight Meyer was handed over as an infant along a Texas hospital curb without an agency, a judge, or legal adoption paperwork. At 12, she discovered she had no birth certificate. At 47, she finally received one that reflected her true identity. In this deeply personal conversation, Patricia joins Lisa Lacy to explore black-market adoption, adoption trauma, abandonment, people-pleasing, and the complicated emotions of reuniting with biological parents. She also shares the story behind her award-winning memoir, Wonderland: Memoir of a Black-Market Adoption , and why adoptee rights, identity, and family preservation deserve more honest conversations. In This Episode: 02:43 – How adoption trauma, abandonment fears, and people-pleasing shaped Patricia’s childhood. 06:04 – Discovering her missing birth certificate and questioning whether she had been stolen. 09:19 – Reuniting with her biological parents and confronting the identity she thought she knew. 15:05 – Preparing for adoption reunions, managing expectations, and establishing healthy boundaries. 24:25 – Writing Wonderland , surviving devastating losses, and reclaiming her personal history. Connect with Patricia Knight Meyer https://www.myadoptedlife.com Connect with Lisa | INSIDE THE EDGE https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge Go beyond the public podcast with exclusive weekly episodes, private monthly live conversations, and practical resources exploring identity, trauma, recovery, and personal growth. What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What happens when everything you’ve worked so hard to achieve starts costing you your health, happiness, and sense of self? Dave Rossi built a multimillion-dollar business, had the homes, the money, and every outward sign of success. Behind it all, he was burned out, physically unwell, and deeply unhappy. What happens when everything you’ve worked for becomes the very thing destroying you? Lisa Lacy and Dave Rossi explore the hidden costs of traditional masculinity, the pressure to perform, and why strength doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your health or happiness. From the alpha male mindset to Dave’s Omega Man philosophy, this conversation challenges what we’ve been taught about success, vulnerability, identity, and conscious leadership. In This Episode: 02:18 – When having everything still feels like failure: Dave’s personal breaking point 06:29 – How ambition, discipline, and constant achievement become a recipe for burnout 19:54 – Alpha vs. Omega: redefining masculinity, strength, and the masks men wear 34:03 – Building the awareness muscle, breaking old patterns, and finding the power to choose differently 44:24 – Performing to be loved, letting go of approval, and why vulnerability is real strength Connect with Dave Rossi Website: https://www.daverossiglobal.com Explore his books, Alphas Die Early and The Imperative Habit . Connect with Lisa Lacy Inside the Edge: https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge Inside the Edge is a private membership featuring exclusive weekly solo episodes, monthly live virtual experiences, and practical resources for deeper conversations about identity, healing, personal growth, and the human experience. What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What if healing from trauma didn’t have to take years? What if the patterns keeping you stuck weren’t just in your thoughts, but in your body? Biochemist, immunologist, and author Dr. Judith Swack joins Lisa Lacy to challenge how we think about trauma, emotional healing, and the unconscious patterns driving our behavior. Dr. Judith introduces her Healing from the Body Level Up (HBLU) methodology, exploring energy psychology, the mind-body connection, and her approach to identifying and releasing emotional patterns. From betrayal and boundary violations to the relationship between trauma and physical health, this conversation asks whether healing could look very different from what we’ve been taught. In This Episode: 03:30 – Why unconscious patterns keep us repeating the same behaviors and relationships. 11:20 – Energy psychology, tapping, and Dr. Judith’s approach to emotional healing. 19:50 – Loss trauma versus violence trauma and how both affect the nervous system. 23:35 – Fight, flight, freeze, bullying, and the impact of violated boundaries. 31:30 – Trauma, the immune system, chronic stress, and the mind-body connection. Connect with Dr. Judith Swack Learn more about her work, Healing from the Body Level Up (HBLU), and her book Clear Trauma Now . https://www.hblu.org/ Connect with Lisa | Inside the Edge Join Inside the Edge for exclusive weekly episodes, private monthly live experiences, deeper conversations, and resources for self-discovery and personal growth. https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What happens when you look healthier than ever but feel worse than ever? Former competitive bodybuilder and men’s health coach Kevin Gomes knows that contradiction firsthand. After years of extreme training, restrictive dieting, and performance-enhancing drugs, he realized that looking strong and actually being healthy are two very different things. Kevin joins Lisa Lacy for a thought-provoking conversation about men’s physical and emotional health, identity, perfectionism, and the patterns that keep us stuck. From our relationship with food to the pressure to prove ourselves, we explore why sustainable fitness requires more than discipline, and how real health begins when we stop chasing appearances and start paying attention to how we’re actually living. In This Episode: 03:00 | When looking your best leaves you feeling your worst: Kevin’s bodybuilding wake-up call. 07:00 | Looking under the hood: bloodwork, hormones, energy, and the health markers we overlook. 12:00 | How identity, shame, perfectionism, and our relationship with food keep unhealthy patterns alive. 16:00 | Breaking autopilot: recognizing emotional triggers, stress eating, and building intentional habits. 31:00 | Dropping the mask of physical perfection, walking away from steroids, and redefining strength, health, and fatherhood. Connect with Kevin Gomes Founder, Pinnacle Coaching Website: https://pinnacleprogram.co.uk Instagram: @kevgomes_coach Connect with Lisa Lacy Inside the Edge: https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge Go beyond the public podcast with exclusive weekly episodes, private monthly live experiences with Lisa, and practical resources for deeper self-discovery and meaningful human connection. What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What if your voice is still carrying the pain you never had permission to express? International recording artist, opera singer, and creator of Vibrational Voice Healing, Heather Schmid joins me to explore the connection between sound, trauma, emotional expression, and authenticity. Heather shares how an unexpected experience while filming her documentary Voice of the Earth transformed her understanding of her voice and herself. We explore how childhood conditioning, perfectionism, and the need for approval can silence our authentic expression. From sound frequencies and nervous system regulation to spiritual awakening and releasing old identities, this conversation goes far beyond singing. In this episode, we explore: How an emotional experience at a waterfall in the Azores changed Heather’s life and documentary. Why childhood criticism, judgment, and unresolved emotional experiences can silence our voices. The differences between 432 Hz and 440 Hz, cymatics, and Heather’s perspective on sound and vibration. How breathwork, humming, and somatic voice practices may support emotional expression and self-discovery. Breaking free from perfectionism, external validation, and the identities we perform to survive. Connect with Heather Schmid: https://www.heatherschmid.com Explore Vibrational Voice Healing and her documentary Voice of the Earth . Connect with Lisa | Inside the Edge: https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge Join our private membership for exclusive weekly episodes, monthly live experiences, and resources exploring trauma, identity, recovery, and authentic living. What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What happens to your brain when the person you trusted most becomes the source of your greatest pain? Betrayal trauma doesn’t just break your heart. It can fundamentally alter how your brain processes safety, trust, relationships, and even your own reality. After spending more than a decade in a relationship marked by chronic infidelity, gaslighting, financial exploitation, and substance abuse, I walked away questioning everything, including my own judgment and identity. In this deeply personal Edge Note, I explore the neuroscience behind betrayal trauma, how prolonged emotional manipulation impacts the nervous system, and why survivors often experience hypervigilance, anxiety, obsessive questioning, and profound self-doubt. I’ll share what it took to rebuild my identity from the ground up and how neuroplasticity offers genuine hope for recovery. If you’ve ever felt like you were losing your mind after betrayal, this conversation is about understanding what happened to you, reclaiming your sense of self, and learning to trust yourself again. In this Edge Note, we explore: How betrayal trauma affects the brain, nervous system, and body’s threat response. Why gaslighting and chronic deception can destroy self-trust and distort your sense of reality. The connection between betrayal trauma, hypervigilance, emotional dysregulation, and survival behaviors. How prolonged psychological manipulation can erode identity, confidence, and the ability to make decisions. The science of neuroplasticity and how healing can help you rebuild self-trust, establish boundaries, and stop abandoning yourself. Connect with Lisa | INSIDE THE EDGE Go beyond the podcast with exclusive conversations, private episodes, live gatherings, and a community exploring trauma, healing, reinvention, and everything that makes us human. https://lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

Why is saying “I don’t know” so uncomfortable? Australian osteopath, educator, and Uncomfortably Curious podcast host Aidan Mill joins Lisa Lacy to explore curiosity, cognitive bias, and why questioning what we believe might be one of the most powerful things we can do. From the stories we tell ourselves to the labels we allow to define us, this conversation challenges certainty, explores how our experiences shape our perceptions, and examines what happens when we choose understanding over being right. Sometimes the most courageous thing we can do is admit we might not have all the answers. In this episode: Why we’re uncomfortable admitting we don’t know something How personal experiences and assumptions shape our perception of truth When diagnoses and labels become part of our identity The difference between confidence, competence, and certainty How curiosity, emotional openness, and better questions create opportunities for growth Connect with Aidan Mill Website: https://www.forwardosteo.com.au Podcast, Uncomfortably Curious : https://rss.com/podcasts/uncomfortably-curious/ Connect with Lisa | INSIDE THE EDGE https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What if the anxiety, fear, or emotional patterns you’ve accepted as your personality are actually survival strategies from the past? Lisa Lacy sits down with Cedric Bertelli, founder of the Emotional Health Institute and co-developer of Emotional Resolution® (EmRes®), to explore why managing emotions and resolving recurring emotional patterns may be two very different things. From Cedric’s experience masking anxiety while leading hundreds of employees to the ways our brains predict danger based on past experiences, this conversation explores trauma, emotional avoidance, and the body’s role in emotional processing. Lisa and Cedric discuss interoception, the emerging research behind EmRes, reconnecting with physical sensations, and why sustainable contentment may matter more than chasing constant happiness. In this episode: How anxiety, high performance, and emotional masking can become survival identities. The difference between emotional regulation and Emotional Resolution® (EmRes®). How past trauma, outdated brain predictions, and physical sensations influence recurring emotional responses. Why avoiding uncomfortable emotions can reinforce patterns of fear, anger, and anxiety. Reconnecting with the body, practicing Self-EmRes, and developing greater emotional awareness and contentment. Connect with Cedric Bertelli: https://www.cedricbertelli.com Emotional Health Institute: https://www.emotionalhealthinstitute.org Connect with Lisa | INSIDE THE EDGE: https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What if the version of you that once kept you safe is now keeping you stuck? Lisa Lacy sits down with Carlene Marie, Master Mindpower Coach and author of Enough Already , to explore how self-doubt, perfectionism, people-pleasing, and overachievement become survival identities, even for people who appear confident and successful. From childhood beliefs about not being enough to major life transitions that challenge our identity, this thought-provoking conversation explores self-worth, burnout, emotional resilience, and rebuilding self-trust. Carlene shares practical strategies for setting healthy boundaries, recognizing unconscious patterns, rediscovering personal purpose, and learning to live authentically without constantly proving our worth. In This Episode: How childhood conditioning and unconscious beliefs create lifelong patterns of self-doubt and people-pleasing. Why perfectionism, overachievement, and constantly proving your worth can lead to burnout and self-abandonment. Rediscovering identity, purpose, and personal values through life’s major transitions. Building self-trust through small daily wins, self-awareness, transformational coaching, and asking for help. Setting healthy boundaries, communicating your needs without apology, and breaking free from survival identities. Connect with Carlene Marie: https://carlenemarie.com Connect with Lisa | INSIDE THE EDGE: https://lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What if the very intelligence that helped you succeed is now keeping you stuck? Lisa Lacy sits down with Brent Lupia, Performance and Clarity Coach and creator of Externalized Sensemaking™, to explore why intelligent, high-performing people struggle with overthinking, decision paralysis, and mental clarity. Drawing from 18 years in high-stakes security and intelligence operations, Brent shares what happens when a brain trained for urgency and immediate feedback encounters uncertainty, and why thinking harder isn’t always the answer. From recognizing hidden patterns and challenging assumptions to accountability, neurodivergence, and breaking cycles of self-sacrifice, this conversation goes far beyond productivity. Brent opens up about the role he performed to survive childhood, the cost of constantly stabilizing everyone around him, and how learning to understand his own mind helped him rediscover himself. Together, we explore how curiosity, self-awareness, and personal responsibility can help us move forward without losing ourselves in the process. In this episode, we explore: Overthinking and Decision Paralysis: Why intelligent people get trapped in mental loops and how a brain accustomed to high-pressure decisions struggles with uncertainty. Externalized Sensemaking™: How putting thoughts on paper makes hidden patterns, conflicting beliefs, and assumptions visible so we can approach problems differently. Clarity, Accountability, and Personal Growth: Why understanding a problem isn’t the same as changing a behavior, and how repetition, responsibility, and self-compassion support meaningful change. Neurodivergence, Masking, and Self-Discovery: Brent’s experience of recognizing his neurodivergence later in life, becoming the person who kept everyone else stable, and learning what it means to prioritize himself. Breaking Patterns Through Curiosity and Connection: Why asking better questions, challenging our perceptions, and recognizing our shared humanity can transform relationships and the way we navigate life. Connect with Brent | Brent Lupia Coaching https://brentlupia.com Connect with Lisa | INSIDE THE EDGE https://lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What happens when you achieve everything you thought you wanted, only to discover it isn’t the life you were meant to live? Lisa Lacy sits down with Steve Farrell, Silicon Valley entrepreneur, bestselling author, and co-founder of Humanity’s Team, to explore the journey from extraordinary financial success to spiritual awakening, conscious living, and discovering what truly makes life meaningful. From releasing fear and quieting the constant noise of achievement to recognizing our interconnectedness, Steve shares the personal experiences that transformed his understanding of success. Through a powerful live exercise, reflections on his book The Inner Way , and a heartbreaking story about his sister, this conversation explores what happens when we stop performing for the life we were handed and begin living the one that feels authentically ours. In this episode, we explore: Success Without Fulfillment: Why Steve’s multimillion-dollar Silicon Valley success felt like a temporary sugar high and led him toward a different definition of purpose. Conscious Living and Connection: A guided breathing and awareness exercise exploring how the beliefs “I am alone” and “I belong to something larger” can feel different in the body. Moving Beyond Fear: Why creating stillness, listening to your inner voice, and questioning the path others chose for you can open new possibilities. The Ripple Effect of Authenticity: How presence, compassion, conscious leadership, and everyday interactions can influence our relationships and communities. The Roles We Perform to Survive: Steve’s emotional story about losing his sister, the wake-up call that changed his priorities, and his invitation to live as your authentic self. Connect with Steve | Steve Farrell https://stevefarrell.org Connect with Lisa | INSIDE THE EDGE https://lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What if being seen isn’t the same as being known? In a world obsessed with personal branding, social media visibility, artificial intelligence, and polished public images, authenticity may be our greatest competitive advantage. Lisa Lacy sits down with Drew Gerber, CEO and co-founder of Wasabi Publicity, to explore why meaningful visibility begins with knowing who you are, not performing who you think the world wants you to be. From finding your purpose and building authentic relationships to breaking cycles of shame, control, and never feeling good enough, this conversation goes far beyond traditional public relations. Drew shares how self-awareness, accountability, mentorship, and human connection can transform the way we approach business, personal branding, and our relationships with ourselves. In this episode, we explore: Being Seen vs. Being Known: Why authentic personal branding and meaningful visibility begin with self-awareness. Purpose-Driven Public Relations: How understanding your why creates more aligned marketing strategies, stronger trust, and meaningful impact. AI and Human Connection: Why artificial intelligence, social media, and digital perfection are challenging us to rediscover what makes us human. Breaking the Shame and Control Cycles: How releasing perfectionism, embracing accountability, and trusting yourself create room for authenticity. Mentorship, Self-Worth, and Enoughness: Why the right support matters and how asking “What is enough?” can redefine success, happiness, and fulfillment. Connect with Drew | Wasabi Publicity https://wasabipublicity.com Connect with Lisa | INSIDE THE EDGE https://lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What happens when you voluntarily seek help for addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges, only to be told your anger is beyond a rehabilitation center’s ability to handle? In this brutally honest and sometimes hilarious solo episode of Notes From the Edge , Lisa Lacy shares the story of getting kicked out of outpatient rehab at 40 years old after taking a therapeutic exercise called “The Bullshit Game” a little too seriously. Through personal storytelling, humor, and hard-earned perspective, Lisa explores the importance of trauma-informed care, emotional safety, accountability, and finding recovery resources that meet your individual needs. From outdated rehabilitation practices to the complicated relationship between anger and unresolved trauma, this conversation challenges the idea that recovery should look the same for everyone. In this episode, we explore: The infamous “Bullshit Game” and how a novelty button got Lisa kicked out of rehab. Why traditional addiction treatment and mental health programs don’t work for everyone. Understanding anger as a possible response to trauma, betrayal, and years of survival. The difference between genuine accountability, public humiliation, and trauma-informed recovery. How to find mental health resources, addiction treatment, and recovery support that fit your individual needs. Connect with Lisa | INSIDE THE EDGE https://lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

You can look successful, productive, and completely put together while quietly falling apart behind the scenes. In this Saturday Edge Note of Notes From the Edge , Lisa Lacy sits down with Dr. Lorea Martínez Pérez, emotional intelligence expert and author of Living with the HEART in Mind , to explore why high achievers often miss the warning signs of burnout until they’ve lost their joy, motivation, and connection to themselves. Together, they examine why pushing harder isn’t always the answer, how emotional intelligence helps us understand what our emotions are trying to tell us, and why boundaries, curiosity, and purpose matter more than temporary self-care fixes. This is a conversation about letting go of the performance of being fine, learning to include yourself in the circle of care, and finding your way beyond survival mode. In This Episode: Why burnout builds quietly and how losing joy can be an early warning sign. How high achievers become disconnected from their emotions while meeting everyone else’s needs. Why emotional intelligence is a learnable skill that transforms relationships, leadership, and well-being. How to establish emotional boundaries without guilt, including the power of saying “maybe later.” Why slowing down, naming your emotions, and embracing curiosity can help you rediscover purpose. Connect with Dr. Lorea Martínez Pérez Website: https://loreamartinez.com Explore her book, Living with the HEART in Mind: A Practical Guide to Healing from Burnout and Cultivating Purpose : https://loreamartinez.com/living-heart-in-mind/ Connect with Lisa Lacy Website: https://www.lisalacy.com Join INSIDE THE EDGE Go beyond the public podcast with exclusive weekly episodes, private monthly conversations, and a community built around meaningful human connection. https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What if the very thing you spent your life trying to hide was actually one of your greatest strengths? Coach Willie Blake, entrepreneur, speaker, podcast host, and high-performance coach, joins Lisa Lacy for an honest conversation about growing up with dyslexia, feeling broken in a world designed for different minds, and discovering that self-acceptance can change everything. From struggling with self-worth to embracing neurodivergence and building confidence through small, intentional actions, Willie shares the lessons that helped him stop merely surviving and start leading with his differences. In this episode: The emotional impact of dyslexia on childhood, relationships, identity, and self-worth Reframing neurodivergence from a perceived limitation into a source of creativity, empathy, and strength Overcoming self-doubt, people-pleasing, and the pressure to fit someone else’s definition of normal Willie’s 2% Rule and GPS Goal Method for creating momentum through manageable, consistent action Letting go of the need to be everyone’s hero, accepting our imperfections, and learning that even the strongest people need support Connect with Coach Willie Blake: https://coachwillieblake.com/ Connect with Lisa Lacy Inside the Edge: https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What happens when you begin grieving someone you love long before they’re gone? In this deeply personal episode of Notes From the Edge , host Lisa Lacy sits down with Suzanne Sherman, author, memoir editor, and writing coach, to explore childhood trauma, schizophrenia, suicide loss, complicated grief, and the healing power of storytelling. Suzanne was just four years old when her mother developed schizophrenia. At eighteen, she lost her mother to suicide. Decades later, she found the courage to tell their story in her memoir, Living in the Long Shadow: Surviving a Legacy of Mental Illness . But this conversation reveals something profound: sometimes we grieve not only the person we’ve lost, but the life mental illness prevented them from living. Through memories of her mother, decades of unanswered questions, and the decision to finally write her story, Suzanne explores how love, grief, and healing can coexist. In This Episode: Growing Up with a Parent with Schizophrenia: How Suzanne’s childhood changed when her mother’s mental illness emerged, and what happens when children are left to make sense of experiences nobody explains. Suicide Loss & Complicated Grief: The emotional complexity of losing her mother at eighteen, including the grief Suzanne experienced long before her mother’s death. Mental Illness, Family Silence & Childhood Survival: How unspoken struggles, family dynamics, and the need to remain observant can shape a child’s understanding of safety and belonging. Memoir Writing & Healing Through Storytelling: Why Suzanne waited decades to write Living in the Long Shadow , how she found the courage to revisit painful memories, and what writing taught her about her own life. Love Beyond Loss & Finding Meaning: An extraordinary personal experience that changed Suzanne’s understanding of her connection with her mother, the importance of honest communication, and the simple words that helped her persevere: “I can do this.” From the lasting effects of parental mental illness to the courage it takes to tell a deeply personal story, this conversation reminds us that grief doesn’t always begin with death, healing doesn’t require forgetting, and some of the most important conversations are the ones families never learned how to have. Connect with Suzanne Sherman Explore Suzanne’s memoir, writing workshops, coaching services, and weekly memoir classes. Website: https://suzannesherman.com Connect with Lisa | INSIDE THE EDGE Join INSIDE THE EDGE, a membership community for deeper human conversations, personal exploration, and meaningful connection beyond the podcast. https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What if artificial intelligence could give us more time to be human? In this episode of Notes From the Edge , host Lisa Lacy sits down with Jon Rossiter, entrepreneur and co-founder of Zoloto , to explore AI employees, business automation, leadership, and the future of work. But the conversation goes beyond technology. Jon opens up about people-pleasing, authenticity, accountability, and why meaningful human connection matters more than ever in an increasingly automated world. What happens when technology gives us back our time, but we still have to decide who we want to be? In This Episode: AI Employees & the Future of Work: How specialized artificial intelligence workers are transforming business operations, automation, and the way entrepreneurs manage their companies. Entrepreneurship, Productivity & Work-Life Balance: Why eliminating repetitive tasks could help business owners reduce stress, reclaim valuable time, and focus on what matters most. Leadership, Accountability & Human Trust: Why taking responsibility, acknowledging mistakes, and building authentic relationships remain essential in an increasingly automated world. People-Pleasing, Identity & Authenticity: Jon’s personal experience of letting go of the need for approval and learning to show up without wearing a mask. Human Connection & the Loneliness Epidemic: Why technology cannot replace emotional honesty, meaningful relationships, asking for help, and supporting one another. From AI-powered business transformation to the deeply human need for connection and belonging, this conversation challenges us to consider whether the future of work should be measured only by productivity or by the quality of the lives we’re creating. Connect with Jon Rossiter Co-Founder, Zoloto LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnrossiterofficial/ Connect with Lisa | INSIDE THE EDGE https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What if your biggest financial obstacle isn’t your money, but the unconscious patterns controlling your decisions? Financial advisor, former monk, and bestselling author Doug Lynam returns to Notes From the Edge for a live Enneagram case study with Lisa Lacy, exploring how personality, trauma, fear, and identity shape our relationship with money. In this episode: Why financial stress activates survival instincts and unconscious emotional patterns. How the nine Enneagram personality types influence spending, saving, control, and financial decisions. A live examination of Lisa’s Type 8 personality, including power, boundaries, anger, and the fear of being controlled. How Type 8 and Type 5 personality patterns affect relationships, communication, and financial behavior. How self-awareness, compassion, and intentional choices can transform destructive money patterns into healthier financial habits. Missed Part 1? The Wealth We Can’t Spend: From Marine to Monk to Money Manager with Douglas Lynam. Find it on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/notes-from-the-edge/id1896943121 Connect with Doug Lynam: https://www.douglynam.com Connect with Lisa Lacy | INSIDE THE EDGE Membership: https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .

What happens when the life you’ve worked so hard to build no longer feels like the life you’re meant to live? In this episode of Notes From the Edge , host Lisa Lacy sits down with Luke Mickelson, founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace , to explore purpose-driven leadership, community service, personal identity, vulnerability, and how one small act of kindness can grow into a movement that changes hundreds of thousands of lives. Luke had everything he thought success was supposed to look like. A six-figure career, financial stability, a family, and a comfortable life. But something was missing. Then a simple project to build a bunk bed for children sleeping on the floor changed everything. Luke shares the unforgettable story of Haley, a six-year-old girl who had been sleeping on her school clothes because she didn’t have a bed. When she received her very first bed, she wrapped her arms around it and kissed it. That moment transformed Luke’s understanding of success, service, and what it means to make a difference. What began as a small community project became Sleep in Heavenly Peace , an international nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that no child has to sleep on the floor. But this conversation goes far beyond building beds. Lisa and Luke explore the loneliness that can exist behind professional success, the unexpected fulfillment that comes from helping others, and the personal cost of believing that leadership means always having the answers. Luke also opens up about letting go of pride, ego, and the identity he spent years performing, discovering that vulnerability may be one of the greatest strengths a leader can develop. In this episode: Success vs. Fulfillment: Why achieving everything society calls success can still leave us questioning our purpose. One Bed, Thousands of Lives: How Haley’s story helped ignite a community movement addressing childhood bedlessness. The Five Steps to Finding Purpose: Luke’s approach to meaningful action: see it, feel it, act on it, repeat it, and share it. Community Service and Human Connection: How volunteering creates belonging, shifts our perspective, and reminds us that we’re not meant to navigate life alone. Leadership, Identity, and Vulnerability: Why letting go of the need to be strong, have every answer, and perform for others can be profoundly freeing. This is a conversation about ordinary people doing extraordinary things, not because they have all the resources or answers, but because they decide to act. And perhaps the most powerful reminder is that you don’t have to change the entire world to change someone’s world. Connect with Luke Mickelson Learn about Sleep in Heavenly Peace, find a local chapter, volunteer to build or deliver beds, donate, or start a chapter in your community. https://shpbeds.org/ Connect with Lisa | INSIDE THE EDGE Go beyond the public conversations with exclusive solo episodes, deeper discussions, and monthly live experiences. https://www.lisalacy.com/inside-the-edge What did you perform in order to survive? Welcome to the Edge. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .